The Association of Commonwealth Universities, of with Her Royal Highness is Patron, has published its brand new strategy report – The road to 2030: building a better world through higher education. The Duchess wrote an introduction message which you can read below (the full report is available here:

As Patron of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), it brings me incredible pride to support a network of universities each aligned with the shared goal of enabling students worldwide to maximise their potential through access to higher education. The experience of attending university allows students to graduate into the world with the social skills and intellectual prowess that will set them up for greater success; that happens not simply on a micro level in their own lives, but on a macro level. The choices they make and challenges they endeavour to overcome create deep and meaningful global impact.

It is important to note that for many young people around the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, the opportunity to achieve their full potential through education can simply feel out of reach. Whether it is cost prohibitive or that the cultural stigma in their specific community restricts their ability to attend by virtue of their gender, race, or creed – the ACU seeks to break through these boundaries and enable all curious minds the opportunity to whet their appetites for the experiential value of higher learning.

In many territories throughout the world, a university education is the key to ending poverty by empowering students to generate incomes for their families and wider communities, as well as securing their own futures. It is only right then that the ACU plays a critical role in making this happen; this esteemed network supports universities and students to open doors that have otherwise been closed, and in doing so to open minds as well.

I am inspired by the students of today, by their vision and ambition for positive change, and by their understanding of the powerful role higher education can play to create a brighter future. The Commonwealth’s young people are an incredible asset, and it is vital that we invest in them.

Earlier this afternoon, The Duchess of Sussex visited the City University of London to meet with members of the Association of Commonwealth Universities, of which she is Patron. The ACU is the world’s first and oldest university network, with more than 500 universities around the Commonwealth. Her Majesty The Queenpassed on the patronage to Meghan earlier this month. Meghan attended a meeting with the Association back in December.

Today, she met with students from various countries who are currently studying in the UK and whose life has changed since joining the ACU. She also discussed the association’s involvement in helping disabled people around the world through scholarship schemes. VIDEO

This morning, Kensington Palace finally announced Meghan’s first patronages! The Duchess’s main focus will be education, the arts, helping women and animal welfare. Here is a description of each organization, and for more information, visit our page on Meghan’s patronages.

Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex will become Patron of four organisations that reflect the causes and issues with which she has long been associated including the arts, access to education, support for women and animal welfare.

Her Majesty The Queen has passed on two patronages to The Duchess of Sussex –The National Theatre and The Association of Commonwealth Universities. The Queen has held the roles for 45 and 33 years respectively. Her Royal Highness will also take on Patronage of two additional charities as part of her official working portfolio – Smart Works and Mayhew.

The Duchess is delighted to become Patron of both national and grassroots organisations that are part of the fabric of the UK, and is very much looking forward to working with them to bring wider public attention to their causes. Her Royal Highness feels she can use her position to focus attention on, and make a particular difference to these organisations and, more widely, the sectors they each represent.

For the arts, the National Theatre’s mission is to make world class theatre that is entertaining, challenging and inspiring for everyone and to be as inclusive, diverse and national as possible. In support of access to education, the Association of Commonwealth Universities is the world’s first and oldest international university network and the only accredited organisation representing higher education across all 53 Commonwealth countries.

With regards to supporting women, Smart Works helps long-term unemployed and vulnerable women regain the skills, confidence and tools to succeed at job interviews, return to employment and transform their lives. In terms of animal welfare, Mayhew is a grassroots charity working in a unique way to improve the lives of animals and people to better communities both in London and internationally.

Over the last year, Her Royal Highness has held meetings and conducted private visits with each of these organisations. The Duchess will today visit Smart Works and over the next few weeks will undertake public visits to the other three organisations.

Post archives

Latest photos

HRH The Duchess of Sussex

The Duchess of Sussex, born Rachel Meghan Markle, married Prince Harry at St George's Chapel, Windsor in May 2018. The couple's official residence is Kensington Palace. As well as undertaking royal duties in support of The Queen, both in the UK and overseas, The Duchess devotes her time to supporting a number of charities and organisations.
From a young age, The Duchess had a keen awareness of social issues and actively participated in charitable work. Aged 11 she successfully campaigned for a company to alter their television advert that had used sexist language to sell washing-up liquid. Her Royal Highness also volunteered at a soup kitchen in Skid Row, Los Angeles from the age of 13-17. She continued to volunteer at the soup kitchen when she would return home to Los Angeles until the age of 22.

The Duchess of Sussex, who is pregnant with her first child, will soon go on maternity leave.

Meghan's Patronages

The Royal FoundationSince the wedding

The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and The Duke and Duchess of Sussex is the Patrons’ primary charitable vehicle, and hopes to become a leading philanthropic investor, effectively using its time and resources to create lasting change in targeted areas and geographies, based on need and on the interests of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and The Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

The National TheatreJanuary 2019

The National Theatre’s mission is to make world class theatre that is entertaining, challenging and inspiring for everyone and to be as inclusive, diverse and national as possible.

The ACUJanuary 2019

The Association of Commonwealth Universities is the world's first and oldest international university network and the only accredited organisation representing higher education across all 53 Commonwealth countries.

Smart WorksJanuary 2019

Smart Works helps long-term unemployed and vulnerable women regain the skills, confidence and tools to succeed at job interviews, return to employment and transform their lives.

The MayhewJanuary 2019

Mayhew is a grassroots charity working in a unique way to improve the lives of animals and people to better communities both in London and internationally.

Meghan Markle Fan is an unnoficial website. We are not Meghan, nor are we affiliated to her or anyone of her entourage. Pictures and videos are the property of their rightful owners. If you wish to see something removed from the website, please contact us before taking any legal action.